Vietnam-China collaboration begins two-month test run for HCMC-Nha Trang luxury train

Saigon Railway Transport JSC will collaborate with Railway Equipment Development Company in Vietnam, a member of China's Jinxin Group, to test the Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang luxury train route aimed at enhancing service quality.

Saigon Railway Transport JSC will conduct a commercial trial to assess the market for newly built trains SNT6 and SNT3 from Jinxin from August 9 to October 7, 2024. The SNT6 and SNT3 trains will run on the HCMC-Nha Trang route, with service every two days.

The SNT6 train departs from HCMC at 10:15 p.m. and arrives in Nha Trang town (Khanh Hoa province) at 8:05 a.m., stopping en route at Di An town (Binh Duong province), Bien Hoa town (Dong Nai province), and Thap Cham (Ninh Thuan province).

The SNT3 train departs from Nha Trang at 10:20 p.m. and arrives in HCMC at 9:15 a.m., with en route stops including Bien Hoa, Di An, and HCMC.

For the first five journeys either way, passengers will receive a 5% discount on ticket prices. Additional discounts of up to 15% are available for tickets purchased 10 days or more in advance (not applicable to four-bed compartments), 3-12% off group tickets for 11 or more people, and 5-10% off round-trip tickets.

Vietnam Railways Corporation also offers regular discounts for social policy beneficiaries, including Vietnamese heroic mothers, war invalids, people affected by toxic chemicals, those with severe disabilities, the elderly, children, students, trade union members, and passengers with loyalty cards.

Travel agencies participating in the tourism stimulus program will also receive ticket discounts.

Previously, Jinxin Group had commissioned Gia Lam Railway JSC and Di An Cargo JSC to assemble and build 13 new luxury passenger cars, including six sleeper cars, five seat cars, one food car, and one power generation service car. All equipment and spare parts for these were imported, with local factories handling only the shell construction and assembly.

The total cost of the 13 train cars has exceeded VND275 billion ($10.95 million). They were showcased at the 42nd ASEAN Railway Conference in Danang in 2022.